Maryland Institute College of Art - MICA Reviews

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Michelle from NJ

08/03/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

15 out of 15 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Adventurous, fun yet thick skinned, serious art enthusiasts

Tips for prospective students

Take your work seriously, and be sure not to get off track. It's so easy to get lost and leave school with nothing worthwhile, so either take yourself seriously or you're wasting your own time and money. Living off campus is ridiculously cheaper than living on campus, although my freshman year in the Commons might have been the best year of my entire life. Sleep when you can. NEVER procrastinate, you will hate yourself for it. NEVER walk anywhere by yourself, there's a variety of idiots in this city that won't think twice about hurting you.

Bang for the buck

Art schools tend to be notoriously expensive, and MICA is no different. The main financial difference that sets apart this school from others is how much MICA really does help out with scholarships and funding. If you wholeheartedly seek out the financial help, MICA has much to offer.

Am enjoying being here

I refuse to candy coat Baltimore- it's a tough city and not the place for everyone. The so called MICA campus is in an o.k. part of town, which a lot of people like to deem the MICA Bubble, as it encases itself into a somewhat permeable shelter. To get the best experience from the city, I cannot stress enough how much one must venture out and explore the city and get what it's really about. There is a lot it has to offer, as well as a lot of problems that are mostly brushed underneath a rug of sorts, however as a whole the city can be quite enjoyable. MICA, although the teachers easily vary and it's easy to lose yourself in stress, is a wonderful school and there's a reason why its so highly rated.

Am learning a lot

The same can be said for many schools, but the education one receives at an art school especially varies from student to student on how seriously they take themselves and their work. After two years at MICA, I can definitely say that it's sometimes difficult to balance a social life as well as staying on path of finding a serious career, however nevertheless, the education I recieved from the school as well as Baltimore has impacted my life in such a way that I cannot imagine having gone to school anywhere else.

Tom from Chagrin Falls, OH

07/09/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

9 out of 9 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Anyone who identifies as an artist or has big ideas they want to wrestle with will feel right at home at MICA. For a dedicated art school MICA is also surprisingly well-rounded, which played a big part in my decision to attend.

Tips for prospective students

1. Be prepared to work often and hard. MICA is a fun place, but it is even more fun for those who manage their time and workload properly. 2. Get some sleep sometimes. 3. Remember that Baltimore is a big city and should be treated accordingly. There are many opportunities here, but you should exercise appropriate caution. 4. Get to know your professors. They can and will help you.

Bang for the buck

Like all schools, MICA gives back to you according to what you put into it. That said, the school provides a wealth of opportunities for personal expression, fun, professional experience, and countless opportunities to grow as an artist and person. The quality of professors can vary, of course, but the quality of a MICA education is matchless.

Am enjoying being here

Personally speaking, I love MICA. It is a tight-knit, welcoming, and freely accepting community with the explicit goal of nurturing the growth of young artists. The professors and students are, in my experience, wonderful people. While it can sometimes be an effort to find free time in between coursework, the wealth of opportunities to be found in and around MICA pay great dividends to those who seek them out.

Am learning a lot

The first year at MICA provides an intensive crash-course in all areas of the arts, while successive years allow students to focus in on their chosen area(s) of study. The workload is very intense, but it would be next to impossible to come out of a year at MICA without greatly expanding one's knowledge and capability as an artist.

N.S. from PA

Artists of technical abilities are here, yet everyone work just as hard as the next.

Tips for prospective students

Whatever you many hear, the community here is really open and welcoming. They really want you to take advantage of that and get involved. But also, if you're iffy about the area, definitely come see it for yourself to see if you would be alright here. There are a lot of shady areas and the school warns the students where not to go, but also provides good transportation for the students after hours.

Bang for the buck

It's definitely a lot of money, that's for sure, but I can see why though. The education is great, the dorms are apartment style which is something a lot of freshman don't get, the meals are a nice all you can eat buffet style (or a take-out option).

Am enjoying being here

The college life is really great here. The majority of the freshman are all in one place and the rest are just 1 block away. There are so many events going on through the weekends and many fun things go on the weekday nights. Also with the student clubs meeting once a week or every other week, I can join multiple clubs to meet more people with similar interests.

Am learning a lot

I've only been here a month, but since I'm working at least 6 hours on work every day, I can actually feel myself improving, getting faster at drawing, and strong sense of composition. Also, the quality of my independent sketches and drawings are getting faster, too. The teachers for the first year are all very good teachers and many are easy to talk to and get to know.

Camille

MICA has boosted up their campus security recently but you still need to be street smart and use common sense.

Greek Life

There is no greek life at MICA.

Clubs and Activities

MICA has lots of club and activities for students to be a part of. You name it, they probably have it. If not then you can create the club that you want.

Great for these types of students

MICA is great for the free spirited student who enjoys being challenged. It has a relaxed atmosphere.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There's so many I can't even begin to list them.

Bang for the buck

You can expect private colleges to cost a more that public colleges but the price tag for MICA is a bit much for such a small school.

What to do for fun

Baltimore is a great city. Go on lots of adventures. Go with your friends and visit the Inner Harbor, take the light rail to other places, or visit the shops downtown.

Food and Dining

Initially the dining services are pretty good but sometimes it's lacking. Take advantage of the kitchen they give you in your dorm and make food that you know you will like. Meal plans are expensive. Don't feel forced to get one.

Dorm Life

MICA's apartment style dorms are nice but as with most colleges there will be things about them that you won't like. Try your best to make it feel like home.

Academic Rigor

As an art school MICA wants its students to be well rounded. Balancing academic and studio classes can be difficult at times.

Tips for prospective students

Always to photos of your work after completing it and always have a portfolio ready for review. This will help you to keep track of your work and growth and allow you to show you talents to prospective employers.

In three sentences

On a scale from 1 to 10 I give MICA a 7. MICA has a lot of great resources available to students and great facilities. It is, however, extremely expensive.

Amanda from Reisterstown, MD

11/09/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

4 out of 4 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

There are always campus safety officers patrolling campus during the day and night. Everyone knows Baltimore can be dangerous, no matter where you are, so its reassuring to see them around. I've never had a problem with crime and if I need a ride home I call campus safety for the MICA shuttle to come pick me up.

Greek Life

No sororities or fraternities at MICA, just a big family of art kids.

Clubs and Activities

There are a lot of different clubs you can join. They all have fun events during the week, so its easy to get involved. I'm a part of the Community Arts Partnership, where we volunteer as art teachers at different schools. We also have CAPfest every semester which is a fun festival like event.

Great for these types of students

Hard-working students, who are dedicated and passionate about their art, will excel at MICA. We love students who are fun and and different, ready to make their mark on the world, and show something new to our community.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The MICA Halloween Party is a spectacle every year, complete with a fully decorated Main Building, and a impressive Costume Contest, by the crazy creative students. The Annex and the Copycat are apartment buildings off campus that are known for the crazy parties and shows that go down.

Bang for the buck

MICA is well-known as one of the best art schools in the nation. Its obvious that we have the best art teachers and students in the country, if you look at the artwork that we produce. We have top-notch studios of every kind, that are open 12 hours a day (24 hours during finals week) that facilitate the learning and making of great art.

What to do for fun

Baltimore has a great art scene, so there's always a band playing, an art show, or a fun-themed party to go to. Mount Vernon has some great restaurants and bars that are fun to frequent, like Turp's, Brewer's Art, and XS. There's also some of Baltimore's greatest amusements, like the National Aquarium, Federal Hill, Hampden, Fell's Point, and the Maryland Zoo.

Food and Dining

We have a dining hall, and 2 cafes. The options for food on campus is not humongous, but the food is still decent. I love getting a hot sandwich from Cafe Doris. The area of Mount Vernon is only a 10 minute walk away which has a lot of cheap restaurants to go to.

Dorm Life

The dorms are apartment-style, so they are very spacious. All of them have a kitchen and a living room, and plenty of space to spread out and work on art. Plus, there are studios you can rent out in one of the residence buildings.

Academic Rigor

The academic classes are actually quite relaxed. Most of our energy is focused on our rigorous studio classes, so our academic classes expect the best out of us but dont burden us down with work. We usually have 2 or 3 papers to do for an academic class.

Tips for prospective students

MICA is for students who are passionate and willing to work hard, so be prepared for a lot of work! Remember to be yourself and don't take everything too seriously. Be open to new ideas and people, and you will learn everything that is great about art, MICA, and Baltimore.

In three sentences

MICA is an amazing school with the best teachers in the country. I can pursue my dreams of becoming an art teacher here in a state-of-the-art program. MICA has granted me many opportunities, like volunteering, and having a studio space, for helping me get involved in the community and creating art.

A BUNCH of clubs and organizations, definitely something for everyone.

What to do for fun

There is always the option of the inner harbor, or going to Towson. There are usually events on campus every night, also.

Food and Dining

There are only two options, but they are quite delicious.

Dorm Life

Most people's door are always open, figuratively speaking. The college really makes sure that there is a sense of community.

Academic Rigor

Sometimes it really depends on the class, but most of the time you will be challenged.

Tips for prospective students

Really work on critique skills as you will spend half of your studio time doing just that.

In three sentences

MICA is the best location for artists to learn their trade in a supportive environment. There are many involvement opportunities both on campus and in the community. There is a healthy amount of competition, creating a competitive, effective learning environment.

Jacqueline from York, PA

07/24/2012

Reviewer is A past student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The campus is located in Baltimore City. There are campus shuttles that run during the dark hours so that students can hitch a ride from building to building. Use them! Every year there are a handful of genius students that walk around at night sticking out like a sore thumb and they get mugged. Usually nobody gets hurt, but if you want to avoid a knife or a gun in your face, use the shuttle. There are security guards posted at each building, and the campus has a safety orientation when you first start. The shuttles will also take you home as long as you live close by, even if you're not in a dorm. You can usually bribe the drivers to take you other places if you want.

Greek Life

None, aside from a toga party.

Clubs and Activities

There is a Black Student Union, and you can enter work in the film festivals and fashion shows. There are student shows at the end of every semester for the students to show off their work from classes. There aren't any of the traditional sororities or fraternities as far as I know, or sports teams, but that is typical with art schools.

Great for these types of students

Students that have a lot of money to blow and want a lot of different options to play around with.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Kids like to be hippies and play congo drums in the courtyard. Frisbee is the number one game students play. Artscape is held right on that street every year, but it is during the summer time.

Bang for the buck

MICA does have great facilities and equipment, no matter what your major, but they accept so many students (presumably for the money), that it is hard to get maximum use out of them and out of your instructors. They hike up tuition every year, and then spend a ton of money on marketing and looking pretty. Even if you learn a lot as an artist, without business training your talent will go to waste, and when I was there, MICA didn't have business training.

What to do for fun

MICA has a few sponsored parties for students (casino night, etc.), and student film festivals and fashion shows. There are many bars and night clubs in the city that are not hard to get to.

Food and Dining

The cafeteria has a nice set-up. There are sections for grilled items, fried items, a salad bar, and drink choices which include soda, water and juice. When I first started, the company they were using to make the food was pretty good, but they switched companies and I saw a decline. That was 6 years ago, though, so it might be better now. There is also a Save-A-Lot close by where you can buy groceries.

Dorm Life

Dorms are very nice compared to many other colleges. They are set up like apartments. A new dorm building was built after I left that looks like an art piece. Seems nice, but also not very cost effective. I'm sure dorm prices have risen drastically.

Academic Rigor

Most classes are extremely rigorous, which wouldn't be a problem if teachers had more one-on-one time to spend with students.

Tips for prospective students

If you have a lot of money to blow, and you know exactly what you want to do, and you just want a degree under your belt, MICA may be the place for you. If you want real one-on-one training, building business connections, and you have limited financial resources, find a smaller school that can meet your needs and help you reach your goals.

In three sentences

Lots of resources, but too many students to share it with. School is overcrowded and overly expensive. While there are some wonderful instructors here that can change your life, you may find yourself paying close to $30k a year to sit on the floor because classes are too full and you may not be able to get into half of the classes you want. There is also no business curriculum, which every artist needs to be successful.

Samantha from Morristown, NJ

Pretty good campus safety. There is a shuttle that you can call that will pick you up from school buildings and bring you to your dorm or to your apartment.

Greek Life

NO GREEK LIFE- thank god

What to do for fun

There are art openings, a few good music venues in the city and there are a lot of bands from the school or the city that play in some of the warehouses where a good amount of MICA students live. You can take the light rail which is right on campus down to Camden Yards or Ravens stadium to watch baseball or football or just to go downtown. When you are 21 there are alot of great bars with great beer

Food and Dining

Pretty good food. Everyday they have a food from a different country so you get variety.

Dorm Life

A lot of students live off campus but the dorms are much safer.

Academic Rigor

By academic I mean studio. 6 hour studio classes and usually 10 hours of homework for each studio.

Tips for prospective students

It's a tough city but a fun one. Trust your instincts, don't give people who approach you on the street the benefit of the doubt. Fell's point has great food, great bars and is right on the water.

In three sentences

Great art school. I wouldn't take back going here for anything. Artsy city/ great bars/great food.

Samantha from Sayville, NY

not so hot. we have some interesting ones but theyre mostly for weirdos. like viking club... or d and d.

Great for these types of students

crazy, sassy, nerdy, hipstery folk

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

humans vs. zombies live action, week long game. EXTREME bingo at orientation. lack of hygiene in all peers.

Bang for the buck

so expensive. i love it but private schools are a financial sacrifice.

What to do for fun

warehouse parties!!! live music.. love it

Food and Dining

In the large scheme of college food, its not that bad. but I personally cant stand it. vegetarian and vegan options. everything is bland no matter what it is it tastes like solid water anyway so bring your own condiments.

Karina from Baltimore, MD

02/23/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

there safety cameras and security guards on rounds and at their posts every where. and the shuttle brings you home at night. and there are other phone and computer activated safety programs you can be a part of.

Greek Life

i am not sure what to say, there is a greek town in baltimore-its beutiful.

Clubs and Activities

the clubs and activities are so diverse and too many to count.

Great for these types of students

students come in from all over the world, asia, europe, distant caribbean island, south america etc.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

the mica campus celebrates and honors all holidays and belief systems, so that the students feel as comfortable as possible.

Bang for the buck

again, although it may be pricey its worth it. mica has their own book store, health and fitness facility, own medical center, library studio building, tech lab, and its amazing, everything is at your finger tips. they pay a lot of attention to what the students may need.

What to do for fun

mica has thier own shuttle system and yello bus system. the yellow buses bring you to far away mall and shopping and entertainment centers, the shuttles bring you home at night or drop you off where ever you want to go. also baltimore has its own purple bus route that is free that brings you to the best place of baltimore-the harbor, where there are bars, shopping, eating, the aquarium and so much more.

Food and Dining

there are many place to eat on campus and a couple cafes. there is amazing local dining in every direction possible. so you never get bored, order in, dine out, or go to a local grocery store. its location is great.

Dorm Life

the dorms are regular dorms, but as an art school the studio are amazing, and this year will be renovated once more to provide more space and environment suitable for the artist.

Academic Rigor

lets be completly honest this is college and college takes work and detication, and if you are not serious about your education, do not enroll.

Tips for prospective students

although it may be a bit pricey, the people are great, the classes equipted with new everything and the proffesors willing to understand your processof growth and learning.

In three sentences

it is a free spirited, comfortable and exciting institute. the proffesors are amazing, the students diverse and the campus very beautiful. i feel i am recieving a great education.

Allison

03/20/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

There are no major incidents that happen on the campus. They have night shuttles and walking escorts that will help you get back to your dorm safely. They also have a text-message alert system that will allow you to know any dangerous events that have happened in MICA's vicinity.

Greek Life

There is none.

Clubs and Activities

So many clubs and so little time. Literally. While much of your time will be taken up with work, there are plenty of clubs to look in to. There is a club for just about everything. I really mean everything. They have club fairs at the beginning of each semester; don't be afraid to look at them all. The people are extremely nice.

Great for these types of students

Hard working students. You must be ready to work. You must also love art. If you are looking for a couple art classes but expecting the rest to be academic- then this is not the place for you.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are so many strange things on this campus. There are the little quirks such as the three day long Halloween special (which features a costumed dance- this year was Star Wars themed). Many of the events here are free and include free food and fun. The resident assistants have even more events for the freshmen- make your own chalk, bind your own sketchbook, Tarzan and Marzipan, high-heel races, etc...

Bang for the buck

It's a good school. But it is an undisputed fact that you will be spending quite a bit of money if you decide to go here- whether it be for materials or other such things. If you decide to take the plunge and go into debt (which you would probably be doing for other schools anyhow) then be prepared to do the work. You are basically paying to be given the assignments and it would be in your best interest to do it. If you pay and do the work, you will improve dramatically.

What to do for fun

There are a couple free buses that surround the MICA campus and can take you to other college campuses as well as places like the Baltimore Inner Harbor (where there is plenty of fun to be had). There is a lightrail nested against the MICA campus that can take you to surrounding cities and towns, and a train that can take you to New York or DC (costs money).

Food and Dining

MICA has quite a few cafes as well as its main cafeteria. The are various types of food to suit your eating habits, such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food.

Dorm Life

There are some nice places to live on MICA's campus. After the first year, options become more open. There are common areas in (and outside of) each dorm building for socializing and clubs. The dorms are apartment-style (bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bathroom).

Academic Rigor

Not so much for an academically inclined student as an art student. However, MICA does allow students to take classes at nearby colleges. The art courses will help you improve, without a doubt. It's like an art student boot camp.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared to work. Nothing is more daunting then coming to this school thinking the projects are going to be easy simply because they are art. It's tough. Freshman year is hardest (next to senior year) but completely life-changing. AKA Learn some good time management skills.

In three sentences

If you adore art, need art, and want to be immersed in an art environment for four years- this is your school. It is completely centered around both the students' and teachers' passion for art. There are many opportunities to have your work seen and critiqued by professionals outside the school.

Student from Lawrence, KS

None. Thank goodness because I don't think artists and sororities will get along well.

Clubs and Activities

Some diversity clubs, but not highlighted.

Great for these types of students

Artists that are serious about learning.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The school treats us well during finals week.

Bang for the buck

A little bit pricy, but it is a great school to be in.

What to do for fun

Um....art? idk

Food and Dining

Very good. Pretty fresh. There are options for vegans as well.

Dorm Life

Very nice dorms. Three dorms: Commons (for freshmen only) :kinda looks like a very nice jail, Meyerhoff: Use to be a hospital, but very clean and looks like a hotel, and Gateway: very modern, big windows, bamboo garden inside

Academic Rigor

It's an art school. We don't really focus much on the academic side of things. But if you're considering about academic rigor as art rigor then it's very rigorous. Most everyone works hard, and everyone loves being there.

Tips for prospective students

Don't sleep and work your butts off.

In three sentences

MICA is a great college if you want to think, breath, live art. It is one of the top art colleges in the United States or maybe even in the world. Attending MICA is very very pricy, but I think it's worth it with the education, experience and connections I receive from them.

Jessica from Palmetto Bay, FL

08/06/2012

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The campus is in a generally safe part of town though students are advised not to go wandering by themselves at night or alone. Campus security is also available to escort you if you're working late or feel the need to have someone else with you. A shuttle is available to take you around campus and surrounding areas.

Great for these types of students

Hard working, creative, inventive.

Bang for the buck

Although the school is very expensive, MICA is a prestigious institution with great teachers and your efforts will be rewarded with exhibitions, grants and so forth. If you are going there for a lark however, be prepared to spend a lot of money for very little reward.

What to do for fun

There are great art galleries springing up all around Baltimore where students can visit during the weekends as well as large comprehensive museums. The harbor is a good place to go out to eat or check out the shops.

Food and Dining

The food is great! All freshmen are required to purchase a meal plan to ensure that they eat their first year. The food is rotated periodically as well.

Dorm Life

The freshman dorms are mainly located in one place, inviting a sense of community and making it a great place to start up friendships. However, the lighting in the Commons is shoddy and would require you to get a lamp if you plan on doing any serious work in your dorm which is an apartment style.

Academic Rigor

The teachers expect a great deal out of their students and expect you to compete for grants, exhibitions and scholarships among your peers.

Tips for prospective students

Students should be prepared to apply themselves to their artwork and academic classes to excel in a competitive environment,

In three sentences

MICA is a college that offers a great variety of majors and classes that give one the tools to succeed in one's career as an artist or otherwise. MICA is a rigorous institution that will do their best by students who work hard. It is a place where students can reach their creative potential.

MC from Baltimore, MD

Regular foot patrols and campus safety is pretty adequate. You're in a city so be practical. Common sense goes a long way.

Greek Life

NONE.

Clubs and Activities

There are tons of clubs and activities on a regular basis, every week. So there is always something to do.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

MICA is unusual..... From concerts on Cohen to sexual awareness week

Bang for the buck

The campus itself and everything is has is very amazing.... but they often break down and aren't repaired right away ( to be expected from a school this old). But other than that... the school has a very good program and you get out what you put into it.

What to do for fun

There are plenty of clubs, music venues and shopping in Baltimore. Mica provides shuttles to get to these places, but there is also public transit both free and pay to ride. Just grab a map and go explore.

Food and Dining

MICA now has food trucks, along with the cafes in the grad center, Fox and Bunting, as well as the main dining hall. Food at the Hoff is like any other college dining hall food. It's just the convenience that makes it worthwhile.

Dorm Life

As a Residential Advisor, the dorms are very nice compared to other colleges. The college has also added a new dormitory building. It will house mostly freshmen and transfer students, but also various special interests communities.

Academic Rigor

It's not all Studio classes. Mica has an array of different Science, Math and English courses. Mica is also apart of the Collegetown network, so current students can take classes at other colleges for free.

Tips for prospective students

The school is a bit on the expensive side, but everything you get for the cost is well worth it. From the print center, to being able to check out equipment you need. MICA tries to provide everything you may need to achieve success at the college.

In three sentences

MICA has a very warm and loving community, from the students who have been here for a a few years, to my entire freshman class. The orientation program is very helpful with meeting people as well as showing everything that is available to you. All round it's good people in a close knit community.

Rebecca from Spring, TX

Theirs campus security everywhere, as well students are given a direct number to local law enforcement, that if called should show up in less then a minute.

Clubs and Activities

huge list of clubs and activity. http://www.mica.edu/Campus_and_Student_Life/Student_Activities/Student_Organizations.html heres a link to the club list. Their are multiple student activity's every week, and trust me you'll find out about them.

Great for these types of students

Great for social, multi faceted students. Most students enjoy things outside of art.

What to do for fun

Great museum district that you can get to by the free bus system, also plenty of restaurants, and weekend events will pop up as you explore. Beautiful harbor area, and malls as well. (don't need a car to get to these places)

Food and Dining

Buffet style dinning. always have salad bar, pizza bar, sandwich station, desert area and a burger and hot dog area. as well as stations that change day to day. Vegan friendly deserts, and ice cream on Fridays. Also have 2 other deli like places where you can utilize your meal plan. Its nice to have, but much more expensive then just byeing your own food.

Dorm Life

Living on campus you will most likely be living with someone else even if you have a single room. The school will try to set you up with others of the same cleanliness level as yourself. I do believe there will be a new freshman dorm by this time next year.

Academic Rigor

Work loads a little heaver them my last college. Classes are held once a week, so you need to keep on top of your homework.

Tips for prospective students

If you like set guidelines and knowing exactly what you're supposed to be doing, this school can be a bit frustrating. (Teachers vary in their intensiveness on keeping up their moodle pages) I think the community's great, very diverse, everything very accessible since the city has a rather nice free bus system. Of coarse the community defiantly has a reputation of crime, however their is campus security everywhere.

In three sentences

Good community of artist, resources and opportunitys. Repeat fantastic resources. Classes are very loose and often encourage group work, and putting your own spin on assignments.

Chanel from Glenn Dale, MD

The dining hall is better than most college food but it is not the best. Luckily, they do cater to vegans and vegetarians by serving vegetables everyday and even have vegan sweets.

Dorm Life

I currently reside at the Meyerhoff, which is not the standard housing space for freshman. The rooms here are bigger, come with cable, a microwave, and have hardwood floors. If possible, I would recommend spending extra for a single because it helps so much to have space to do your work in.

Academic Rigor

The school is very tough but if you are absolutely sure that you want to have a career in the art world then you will do fine at MICA. Just remember that you have to work hard and earn your grade. It is not a easy process but all of the professors push you to develop your best work.

Tips for prospective students

If you are from a suburban and city area then MICA is a wonderful campus for you. The campus is in Baltimore City along Bolton Hill and every one in the area is friendly. The school does a wonderful job creating a genuine campus feel for an art school.

In three sentences

I absolutely love attending MICA. The school has felt like home since the very beginning. The faculty and staff are very organized and find many ways to help all students graduate with a firm career path.

Ronesha from North Hollywood, CA

05/29/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Comments

Campus Safety

Campus safety is really great at MICA. During the beginning of the school year, students can sign up for a program called RAVE, and the student is given a telephone number to call if anything should occur during late hours or during anytime of the day. MICA is really great on keeping up with safety issues. They send out emails to the whole school if anything happens to one student, so every student can stay safe. If something does occur on campus, MICA immediately increases the security around school. They have security guards everywhere around campus and also some drive around during late night hours. MICA genuinely cares about the safety of every student, which is really heartwarming.

Greek Life

There is no greek life at MICA. But once you go there, you won't even notice, because MICA is such an interesting school with creative minds and people, so a lot of the time students will come up with their own activities etc.

Clubs and Activities

The clubs at MICA are amazing as well. No matter what your major is, MICA has a club for pretty much every person and if you don't see a club that may not suit you, then you can create your own. MICA also has a big halloween dance and a formal in the spring time, so students can dress up and have fun. It's great because it gives people time to socialize.

What to do for fun

At MICA there are a lot of activities that the school plans for every student. During the weekends in the fall and winter, the student activities office will provide free trips to go apple picking, ice-skating, to go shopping, hiking. They always have sign-up sheets around campus and especially in the living areas. It's great because it gives the students a chance to get out of the school bubble and meet new people or experience a different part of Maryland or Baltimore that they did not know about. At MICA there are so many gallery shows and performances that are free, so I always stop by and see the work that other students have produced, which also provides a good time to socialize.

Food and Dining

The food and dining at MICA is one of a kind. The Meyerhoff is a great place to eat if you are ever looking for a good meal. Doris is also great if you want really great sandwiches or snacks. But the food is amazing and the chefs asks for students's requests, specifically if we want a certain type of food then they will provide it. There are also food trucks and great places to buy food on campus. The great part is you can put money on your ID card and swipe it for food, so you don't have to worry about carrying a debit/credit card.

Dorm Life

The dorm life at MICA is one of the best in the country. I applied to eight other art schools in the united states and went to visit all of them and MICA provides housing for every single student. The school makes sure that you live in the right place for you and as someone who wanted my own room, I got it even during my freshman year, which many other colleges don't provide. The security is also great and MICA always ensures that the students are safe especially in the dorms.

Academic Rigor

MICA does have a great academic program which definitely caters to every mind of every single artist at the school. I appreciate how the teachers let the students incorporate their art into projects, essays and presentations, because it helps as artists, especially to grow professionally.

Tips for prospective students

I would suggest visiting MICA before applying, because it is such a great school that you have to experience it before you apply. I would also say that MICA is one of the very few schools where it's just as amazing as the pictures in it's catalog. It's helpful to become friends with other prospective students, whether it's on Facebook or when you visit the school.

In three sentences

MICA is a great school that encourages every student to reach their full potential, while still staying true to who they really are. The entire faculty and staff are very encouraging and also help every single student grow as each year passes. Everyone in the MICA community is full of so much love and generosity, including the teachers who provide amazing opportunities for the students, which helps us after we graduate. .

Frankie from Montrose, PA

I see campus safety all over. They try to keep an eye out and email us if anything happens close by or on campus. There's also a MICA shuttle and they will escort you at night.

Clubs and Activities

Awesome GYM! They have yoga and Zumba classes. There are student activities a lot too.

Great for these types of students

Artists! Creative and different people.

Bang for the buck

It is very expensive and you do get a good education. I just wonder if it is necessary to cost as much as it does when we have to also buy supplies separately.

What to do for fun

The inner harbor is really close and you can take the free charm city bus! You can also take the Marc train for $7 round trip from Penn station which is in walking distance from MICA to Union Station and get to DC in an hour!!

Food and Dining

The meal plan is great and the food is pretty decent! Always delicious pizza, salad bar and sandwich bar if you don't like anything else.

Dorm Life

The freshman dorms are not the best but they are full size apartments which is not very common.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you really want to be an artist because it takes a lot of work and time. Make sure you have extra money for supplies all year round.

In three sentences

This school provides faculty that is more like friends and family because they are also working artists. The resources are abundant. It costs a lot of money though.

Aubrey from Baltimore, MD

There's always guards around and you can easily call them, they usually respond to incidents very quickly and will walk you home at night.

Greek Life

No sororities or fraternities.

Clubs and Activities

Lots of clubs and fun things to do, but kind of hard to keep up with if you don't use facebook.

Great for these types of students

Artsy (duh, it's an art school), very comfortable with other religions/sexualities/etc. This is a VERY diverse place and nobody here is shy about it.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

We have a meditation room and a nature library (bones, shells, etc).

Bang for the buck

The school is very expensive, so scholarships and loans are good ideas, but I feel the quality far outweighs the cost. I'd rather spend a lot of money and great teachers and resources than go to a University and be another fish in the sea of academia.

What to do for fun

Explore the city! The surrounding area (Bolton Hill/Mt Vernon) is really great and college-friendly, and historic. The harbor is kind of touristy but has lots of shops and attractions, and there's a fair amount of museums and sights (aquarium is a must, zoo can be skipped).

Food and Dining

Edible, but very overpriced. I cooked for myself on way less money.

Dorm Life

I live off campus, but dorms are nothing spectacular. You have a shared kitchen, shared bathroom, sparse living room... Habitable but just as uncomfortable as anywhere else.

Academic Rigor

Art schools typically have a high grading curve, MICA isn't an exception. They will push you to work harder and keep you loaded with work though.

Tips for prospective students

Be comfortable in a large city or taking public transportation, be able to handle yourself alone. Get used to walking, toting art supplies, and staying up late.

In three sentences

MICA has pretty phenomenal teachers and resources; they're creative and understanding people and the facilities are well suited to artists. Baltimore is a diverse and historic mix of suburb and city, and is close enough to DC, NYC, and Philly that going out of town is easy, but this city is not for everyone and can be a little rough.

Stella from Baltimore, MD

07/23/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

23 of 28

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What to do for fun

We don't have greek life or sorority. Neither do we have any fun places to go, so art students become more creative; the people at MICA make the fun. Usually students are way too busy to go out to have fun because of their studio work.

Food and Dining

I'd give 5 stars for restaurants around the city of Baltimore and around MICA. So many good restaurants! But I can only give 3 stars for dining at school. They do not have much variety, and their food can taste very unhealthy at times. Although they have an Italian man who bakes pizzas, and they are amazing all the time.

Dorm Life

Freshmen year, living in the Commons is where it's at. All the hallways are open to the outside, and all of your friends live in the same place. However, the design is very dull and cold. We were told that the same designer who designs prisons designed the Commons. So you'll get what this means. It is white all around inside, but MICA kindly provided walls in the common room, and in each rooms so that you can overcome the whiteness. You can literally do whatever you want on that wall. But only on that wall; otherwise, you will get charged for damage big time.

Academic Rigor

Students are competitive. Especially when the whole school does something in the same field as you. Thank goodness that MICA is a school with many kinder hearted people who want to help you out, constructively. People are rigorous, but quiet. It is simply your responsibility to take a notice of that, because nobody will tell you about it.

Tips for prospective students

Know that you are not the only artist when you come to an art school; students tend to forget about this. Foundation year can be boring according to your major, but it is all about the way you see it; the perspective. You won't have a chance to be hungry; there are so many restaurants around.

In three sentences

The community is composed with many family-like, kind-hearted people. This school gives students a great sense of becoming a working artist. The school is located in the city that is a bit dangerous.

Sommer from Hamburg, NY

07/30/2013

Reviewer is A past student here.

24 of 28

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Campus Safety

Campus security is everywhere all the time and just a call or even text away, shuttles run at night to help students get across campus or other places such as the 24 hour Rite Aid. And although campus security is every where you still need to be careful in Baltimore.

Greek Life

There is none!

Clubs and Activities

There are plenty of clubs and activities but I personally did not attend any of them. You have to be very devoted to be able to do them I think. It can cut into your time for projects, I would recommend that students look into them and make sure they can manage their time wisely if they choose to join a club.

Great for these types of students

MICA is a wonderful place for all people honestly, the diversity in the students is amazing. I don't think any student can really do badly here.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Swap shop would have to be one of the best things MICA does, but I would have to say the sex talks they do for the students and events they have are the best. They like to make sure the students are safe and being safe so through out the year they host several events to get students out of there dorms and to also help them learn more about sex and answer any questions they may have. A local sex toy shop owner attends some of these and helps students answer different questions that the nurse or other may not be able to answer. They also give things away such as condoms of all kinda's and toys. Personally I think this helps most students become more aware and it has helped many of my friends there get their questions answered. (I wouldn't really say this is a tradition but its something that is unique and helpful to all)

Bang for the buck

Most MICA students go to Trader Joes or Whole foods but you don't need to go there to shop for food, save a lot is barely a block away from the Commons. Also try not to buy food for your dorm if you have a 200 meal plan it will be a waste of money then, try to ask for care packages if you want snacks in your dorm room. GO TO THE SWAP SHOP!!! I can not stress that enough, the swap shop is something the school does several times a year where students can drop things off that they don't want or need and take whatever they do want. You can get clothes books and supplies from here, and the end of the year is the biggest one ever its open all the time at that point and the things people get ride of is scary. I myself got at least 100-150$ worth of art supplies. I know people who got their text books from swap shop as well.

What to do for fun

There are tons of things in Baltimore to do, you can go to the Towson Mall (which is 4 levels and has tons of things in it) on the shuttle, walk or take the free circulator to the inner harbor where there are malls and good places to eat. On weekends there are things going on at the Copy Cat and/or Graffiti House just around the corner from MICA across the bridge (the ally there is a good place to see local graffiti artists works and some old MICA students works). There is also the BMA and the Walters museum both free and not far from campus. And don't forget there is also pen station just a 5-10 min walk from campus where you can take the train to DC or NYC for 14 dollars round trip. If you are looking to go thrift store shopping there are plenty of thrift stores although you may need to drive to those. And of course your RA's will be planning things through out the year if your looking to stay on campus or go out with a group of friends.

Food and Dining

The food is pretty good they have a lot of choices for all, vegan and the like. They also do international foods and have fruit and salad all the time in the Meyerhoff. Friday Saturday and Sundays they have the best foods. Doris is the cafe on campus and although is a bit pricey it is pretty good. I suggest getting the 200 meal plan for all freshman for you first semester at least. most students don't use all of those meals but if you plan on having family and friends come to visit you on campus then you can swip for them so they don't have to pay the 9 or so dollars it costs to eat at Meyerhoff (Meyerhoff is all you can eat by the way). And remember not to over indulge in the dessert table.

Dorm Life

Love the atmosphere of the MICA community and the style of the dorms. However noise can be an issue at time in the Commons even if you live in the back building. Also the heaters do not always work and only stairs in the Commons, and the rooms need to be a bit updated and cleaned better. (note this is only one area of dorms for MICA and major changes are supposed to be brought this year things may change)

Academic Rigor

The classes for your first year are amazing not much choice in what you take because it is foundation year but the work load is good and the challenges are even better to develop skills and your imagination/creativity. (if you do not like your teacher for your class you may switch classes at MICA which is a very good thing, not all students will click with the teacher picked for them)

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you brainstorm and keep your options open for different ideas and projects. Time management with be your best friend with your projects do not slack off or wait last minute to finish something problems will arise if you wait to long to do something. Also watch the local stores such as Utrec and Plaza, they have a lot of sales that can help you cut costs. Don't be afraid to use things from the trash either the recycling bin may be your best friend.

In three sentences

Amazing staff and classes at MICA you learn a lot, from students and teachers especially in your first year there. I don't think any other school can compare in MICA's foundation year and the amount that you can learn about art and yourself. This is a place to grow and build connections best school I could ask to attend.

Thanh from Falls Church, VA

08/01/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

25 of 28

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What to do for fun

There are loads of concerts and museums to go to. The music scene here in Baltimore is very big and you can get to free shows plenty of times. There is the Copy Cat where students go to have fun and party. The school also host events like cats/puppy day, and the halloween party, which are great fun to go to. We are also every close to D.C. so commuting to there is no hassle at all.

Food and Dining

Being in Baltimore, here are a lot good restaurants to go eat at. There are all sorts of cuisines like Korean, Japanese, America, Indian, etc. THere really is a great variety here. There are also great small specialty place that sells super delicious soups, and if you're looking for some fine dinning for date nights, you can go down to the inner harbor for a romantic dinner and a stroll next to the harbor. There are a lot of good places to eat around the campus. Each has it's own color and taste. Being a freshman, however, you have to get the two most amount for meals. That means that you would want to use most of it up before the semester ends because there's no roll over of the meal points. That means that most of the time, you will be eating school's food. At first, it is very delicious, but after eating at the same place every single day, the meal does get bland an unappetizing. It's is a great convenience to have the meals because sometimes you just dont feel like cooking, but it does get bad after a while. The great side to the dinning hall is Breakfast/Brunch on Saturday and Sunday. They have such good breakfast foods like omelets, and bacon, and yogurts. Also, there is a wide variety in vegan and vegetarian food. There is a salad bar, and a soup stand, and a sandwich bar. There is a great variety, but it's jsut too much sometimes.

Dorm Life

The dorms are really nice. Since the freshman dorms were originally apartment complex, there is a bathroom and kitchen in each house. You can make it as cozy and homy are you want. Since most freshman's dorms are in the same radius, it's really easy to just walk over to your friend's dorm when you want to just hangout, or take a break, or do homework together. The close proximity allows you to make friends very quickly. In between the dorm buildings, there is a giant field that you can use to play music, soccer, basketball, or just sunbathe, read and have tea when the weather gets nice. The field there is really nice when you just want to get out of he dorm and enjoy the quietness of the outdoor. There would also be dance parties there, especially durring orientation, when there were dance parties every night. While the dorms are nice, it is still fairly old, so, the appliances and bathrooms do break quite often. The fixes are usually simple, but to send a request and wait for someone to come and fix it do takes some times. Sometimes they don't even come and you have to keep on complaining until they come, which is quite a hassle. There is a laundry room, but the machines would sometimes die and you can't use it. It also eats up coins sometimes, and sometimes, people would forget about their laundries and you can't use the machine. Overall, however, my dorm life has been quite fun compared to what my friends has told me about theirs. THere is a huge field, you're close to all your friends, there's a kitchen and private bathroom used only by 3-4 people. The beds are soft and it's a very nice environment to live in.

Academic Rigor

The projects given are always really interesting. The amount of work you have really depends on how many hours you put into a piece. Of course, the longer you work on it, the better it would be. For academic classes, there will be a lot of readings, usually 20+ pages, and essays to write. The papers are not that hard to do if you put some times into it. Depending on the teacher that you have, you can write one paper a week, or one paper and a couple of short responses on the reading. Classes are once a week, since studio classes are 6 hours long, but once you're used to it, the classes aren't really that long. Plus, you get a one hour lunch break and 10-20 minutes break also.

In three sentences

MICA is a wonderful college with a faculty full of experts. The campus is modern, is constantly upgrading to the current technologies, and is always current in what is out in the field of art making. The teachers here are people who are still working in their perspective fields and can give you honest opinions on what it's like to truly be working in today's time.

Erin from Indian Trail, NC

01/08/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

26 of 28

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Greek Life

Nonexistant.

Clubs and Activities

For a fairly small school, there are tons, whether they are based on major (Society of Illustrators, Animation), identitiy (MIQA, Agape Christian Fellowship, Oy!), or other interests (Cosplay club, Basketball club, The Guild). There's something for everyone, and most clubs don't expect a lot of dedication because they know school work comes first. So whether you want to come to one or two events or every single meeting, you can get involved.

Great for these types of students

Passionate, dedicated, hard workers who like to think outside the box.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The Halloween Party is a super fun, Haunted House is great, Humans vs. Zombies is ridiculous (I'm totally going to join next year), and I haven't been there for a spring semester yet! Locations: Brown Center. It sits right next to Fox Building, a big brick building that used to be a factory. But Brown is a big glass building that most people say looks like an ice berg. (which makes Fox the Titanic, I guess?) Fox, Meyerhoff, Main and the Station building are all historical buildings and pretty great.

Bang for the buck

It's pricy, but from what I've experienced, very worthwhile.

What to do for fun

Public transportation like the free Charm City Circulator or inexpensive Light Rail can get you to a lot of great places: the Inner Harbor (shopping, food, the aquarium), Hampden (lots of little shops, antique stores, vintage clothes! and some really great food--Daniela's is great Italian food), or Fell's Point. The BMA or Walter's Art Museum are twenty minute walks away (but you'll have to go there for class anyway) and there are a few other galleries within walking distance. Student Activities runs lots of great events, from ice cream socials to movie nights, that are totally worthwhile, and there are of course the big events around Halloween, like the Haunted House or Halloween Party! Clubs also plan their own events that are super fun, so getting involved is good.

Food and Dining

The food is pretty good and there are some good options, but it's not the best if you're a picky eater (like me). There is always pizza. The Meyerhoff (the only dining option open for breakfast/lunch) is only open in 2.5 to 3 hour bursts and can be easy to miss, but Cafe Doris and Glace Grill help to make up for it. Meyerhoff is a buffet, always with pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches, but has other options that change day-to-day. Glace Grill has pizza every day, as well as a grill option (burgers, chicken sandwiches, and wings tend to rotate through) and a varying third option with everything from pasta to soup in breadbowls to gyros. Cafe Doris has muffins, bagels, pastries, sandwiches, hot dogs, and a daily special (soup or chili, usually).

Dorm Life

All dorms are apartment-style, so you get a kitchenette (which is pretty great if you like to cook). RAs plan lots of activities during the first few weeks of school to help you get to know people. I've had some problems with things breaking, but many of the dorms are in old buildings and and appliances are old, too. However, getting stuff fixed is pretty easy and usually happens in a timely manner. The Residential Coordinators spend a lot of time looking at room applications to find people they think will live together well, and they do pretty good job of it most of the time.

Academic Rigor

Classes are challenging and teachers expect a lot, but they're also willing to work with you.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared to work. There's a lot of homework, but it's manageable. Just because it's an art school doesn't mean there's only art--academics are super important, too. Talk to people! Teachers, students, staff... everyone can teach you something.

In three sentences

It's a beautiful campus right in the middle of Baltimore, with great transportation options for getting to other cities (like DC) because Penn Station isn't far. The atmosphere is cooperative, student-to-student and teacher-to-student, and academics are great, from what I've seen. There are also a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, so everyone can find something to do, plus starting your own club is easy.

K

03/18/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

27 of 28

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Food and Dining

The food here sucks especially the hoff you will probably not eat there after your sophomore year.... atleast thats how it went for me and my friends... Doris has good sandwiches but you get pretty bored of them really quickly... also the coffee on campus is really weak if you are a coffee drinker make them put another expresso shot in it.

Dorm Life

Dorm life here is okay freshman dorms in Founders Green (use to be called commons... thats what I call it anyway) kinda blow unless you are in leake hall. They now make Sophomores stay on campus too so that sucks if you were planning not to.

Academic Rigor

Depending on the teacher your class will either be really easy or really hard... it really depends remember to read rate my professor and usually there is s a facebook group made for each year and join one of the upperclassmen ones and ask them about teachers if they arent on there.

Tips for prospective students

Have an open mind. Be yourself Have fun Remember this is a conceptual art school Get involved

In three sentences

Mica s a conceptual art school. Mica is a very open place where you get to be yourself. Mica's ceramics department is amazing.

Mckenzie

I haven't been able to research much about this school's dormitories, and I hope to find more information soon about it.

Academic Rigor

I cannot say quite yet, but I have seen good reviews from others about this school.

In three sentences

Quick about sending information to prospective students. Information is very extensive, and I enjoyed the questionnaire in the booklet I received. I will most definitely be contacting the school for further info!

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